James "Jim" H Southern

James “Jim” Henry Southern, 94, of Newton died on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at MercyOne Newton Medical Center.  A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at the First Christian Church in Newton. The family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m., Monday, April 6, at the church.  Memorials to the First Christian Church may be left at church the day of the service or at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.

Jim, the son of Loyd and Lelia (Walker) Southern, was born on October 2, 1931, in West Grove, Iowa.  He grew up in Moulton and graduated from Moulton High School.  After high school, Jim served his country in the U.S. Air Force.  Upon returning, he was united in marriage with Betty Ann Kenyon on December 24, 1954, in Moulton.  In 1956, they made their home in Newton. Jim worked for many years at Maytag as a Data Processing Manager, retiring in the late 1990’s. He was an active member of the First Christan Church and the Izaak Walton League.  Jim enjoyed fishing, golfing, and bowling.  He also liked woodworking, tinkering, and could fix just about anything.

Jim is survived by his son, David Southern (Amanda Corzette) of Reasnor; grandchildren, Matthew (Meri) Brown and Brock Southern (Somer Seals); his great-grandchildren, Jacquelin (Cody) Veldhuizen, Alice Brown, Abraham Brown, and Reynek Southern.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty Southern; daughter, Deborah Brown; and his siblings, Robert Southern, Richard Southern, Russell Southern, Roy Southern, Beatrice French, Edith Singley, and Bette Jean Cary.

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